Exodus 34

Exodus 34:1

HEw thee] The former Tables were wholly of Gods framing, both for the matter and the form, for God himselfe made ready the stony Tables to receive the writing, but here Moses prepared the Tables and God wrote upon them, (as at the first) whereby he graciously received the people into favour again, restored them unto their precedent condition, yet this difference might mind them of their former miscarriage, which occasioned the breach of the former worke, which God immediately made, but now refused to repaire, renue, or to make wholly as before. See Annot. on Chap. 31. 18.

like unto] God is constant to his Law, and so should his people be; neither taking upon them in any sort to alter it, nor by change of times or occasions, to hold themselves discharged from obedience unto it.

which thou brakest] God doth only mention, not blame the breaking of the Tables by Moses; whence may be collected, either that Moses did not amisse therein, or that God accepted of his zeale, and pardoned his errour. Here is no mention made of making of an Arke wherein to lay the Tables, but it seemes God gave that in charge to Moses at the same time, Deut. 10 1. to make an Arke of wood which served for that purpose, untill that more curious and glorious Arke was made, which was the principall furniture of the Tabernacle.

Exodus 34:3

not feed before] That which is said of the flocks and herds was not for their sakes, who neither desire the sight of Divine secrets, nor could they sinne whatsoever they did, but it was to breed more reverence in the people, and to keep in their curiositie, and presumption in prying into what God would not have them know, whereto the proud corruption of their nature did too much prompt them. See 1 Samuel 6:19.

Exodus 34:4

Mount Sinai] See the next Annot.

Exodus 34:5

there] This and the two next verses seeme to belong to Gods speaking to Moses, in the hollow cliffe of the rocke, mentioned in the former Chapter vers. 22, 23. though in the 2. & 4. verses, it seemeth God and Moses were upon the Mount when these words were spoken, and yet there also might these words, vers. 5, 6, 7. be uttered by God to Moses: for as he wrote the same words in the Tables, vers. 1. which he had written before, so he might repeat againe, what he had formerly spoken.

Exodus 34:6

long-suffering] Hebr. of wide nostrils. For such as are so, doe more easily breath out the heat of their hearts and fervour of their spirits, and so are neither so vehemently angry, (for heat by restraint (as in a close oven) is more violent, then where there is vent) and are sooner appeased.

Exodus 34:7

for thousands] See Annot. on Exodus 20:6.

and sinne] By so many words concerning sinne, God professeth the multitude of his mercies, as before by the number of persons, as if he had said that he will pardon not only all sinners that soundly repent, but all sinnes of what kinds, or degrees soever, by what names or titles soever they be styled, upon mans heartie repentance, which is vertually included in the promise of pardon. See Matth. 12. 31, 32.

ly no meanes] Though his mercy be much magnified, the wicked must not thereby be emboldened to offend, for he will not be so mercifull, as to restraine his justice from its proper worke on the wicked, Exodus 23:7. & vers. 21. Joshua 24:19. Job 10:14. Micah 6:11. Nahum 1:3. and he will be no meanes, that is, by no meanes prejudiciall to his justice, if they doe not make themselves capable of his mercy, by repentance of sinne for the time past, and reformation of life for time to come.

visiting the iniquitie] See Annot. on Exodus 20:5.

Exodus 34:8

bowed the head] Though God be a Spirit, and therefore principally to be worshipped in spirit, John 4:24. yet man hath a body as well as a spirit, and he must glorifie him in both, 1 Corinthians 6:19. for both are his, and not only by right of creation, but of redemption also, as the same place of the Apostle plainly proveth.

Exodus 34:9

I pray thee] Moses found grace in Gods sight, and he improves all his interest in Gods favour for advantage of the peoples safetie, and prayes so much more importunately even for fortie dayes and fortie nights, as they were more ungratefull towards God, and himselfe more gracious with God; and he bends and bowes, and humbles himselfe so much the more, as they were more stiffe necked and stout-hearted.

stiffe-necked people] God denyeth his presence, because they are a stiffe-necked people, Cha. 33. 3. but Moses defireth it upon the same ground: but for different reasons: God, because they had made themselves unworthy of such favour, and by abusing it might more provoke his anger to their own ruine; Moses desires his presence, the better to keepe them in awe and obedience, who otherwise would be like to be unruly: and therefore seeing the people are thus of nature, the Rulers have need to call upon God, that he would alwayes be present with his Spirit for their assistance, in resistance of their willfull rebellions.

for thine inheritance] * Psalms 33:12. Zechariah 2:12.

Exodus 34:10

• I make a Covenant] That is, I renew my Covenant already made, or, I bind my selfe now to doe more then I have done; (which was as a new Covenant) this may be collected from the words following after. Deuteronomy 5:2.

before all thy people] They are called Moses his people, because committed to his government. See Annot. on Chap. 32. vers. 7.

marvailes, such] Both in the wildernesse, and in the land of Canaan, as the flowing of streames of water with a stroke out of the hard rock, Psalms 78:20. blowing down strong walles with the breath of Rams hornes, Joshua 6:20. making the Sunne and Moone stand still, Joshua 10:13.

with thee] That is, with thy conduct of the people, or on thine and their behalfe.

Exodus 34:11

Amorite] See Annot. on Genesis 34:30.

Exodus 34:12

take heed to thy selfe] Lest by making a league with Idolaters thou become an Idolater as they are, and so when they are cast out for their wickednesse, thou be unworthy to be received or continued in their stead.

make no Covenant] * Chap. 23. 32. Deuteronomy 7:2.

snare] Whereby thou mayst be taken with their inticements, and be made partaker of their punishments. Exodus 23:33. & Deuteronomy 7:16. Judges 2:3. 1 Samuel 18:21. Psalms 106:36.

Exodus 34:13

destroy] It is not enough to be no Idolaters our selves, but we must be zealous against the Idolatry of others, every man according to his interest in Gods cause, and the dutie of his place whereto God hath called him.

groves] Pleasant shady places, which they chose for their Idols.

Exodus 34:14

whose Name] By Name is meant God himselfe, as, The name of the God of Jacob defend thee, Psalms 20:1. So the next words (is a jealous God) doe shew.

Jealous] See the Annot. on Exodus 20:5.

Exodus 34:15

they goe a whoring] The precedent words seeme to be directed to Moses alone, in the second person, now the second person is changed into the third: the meaning is, that Moses if he should make such a Covenant as a publique Governour, would include the people in the Covenant, and they by that meanes would be brought to goe a whoring after Idols, for Idolatry is spirituall whoredome, so in the 2. and 3. of Jeremie, and 16. of Bekiel, and elsewhere; and that because there is a kinde of matrimoniall Covenant betwixt God and his people, as Hosea 2:16. in which respect he is called a Jealous God in the precedent verse, and Chap. 20. 5. and they that transgresse this Covenant, in turning their hearts from God to any creature of the world, are guiltie of adultery, James 4:4.

Exodus 34:16

• their daughters] * 1 Kings 11:2.

make thy sonnes] The weaker sexe may overcome the stronger, by temptations to Idolatry, therefore such unequall marriages are dangerous and to be declined. See Nehemiah 13:25.

Exodus 34:17

no molten gods] By this all Idolatrous representations are forbidden, as by graven images in the second Commandement: but the prohibition is here made rather by the name of a molten God; because the golden Calfe was such a one, Chap. 32. 4.

Exodus 34:18

unleavened bread] This and the other particulars, for the most part, from hence to vers. 24. are spoken of before, Chap. 23. and have Annot. upon them.

moneth Abib] * Chap. 13. 4.

Exodus 34:19

• All that openeth] That is, every male. * Chap. 22. 29. Ezekiel 44:30.

Exodus 34:20

of an Asse] See Annot. on Exodus 13:13.

Lambe] Or, Kid

emptie] Without offering something.

Exodus 34:21

• sixe dayes] * Chap. 23. 12. Deuteronomy 5:13. Luke 13. 14.

in earing time and in harvest] Though tillage for an harvest, and harvest for mans sustenance be most necessary, yet the religious rest of the Sabbath, must not be broken for them, how much lesse for needlesse works or carnall sports?

Exodus 34:22

of weekes] That is, of seven weekes after the Passeover, viz. the Feast of Pentecost, Leviticus 23:15. after 49. dayes, that is, a weeke of weekes, which is the fiftieth day.

yeares end] Hebr. renovation of the yeare. See Annot. on Chap. 23. 16.

Exodus 34:23

• thrice in the yeare] * Chap. 23. 14. 17. Deuteronomy 16:16.

Exodus 34:24

desire thy land] God will not only keepe others hands from spoiling thee, but will curbe the concupiscence of their hearts from desiring thy portion: because they shall have no hope, (if they attempt) to possesse it: so that thou mayst freely appeare, where he appoints thee, with assurance to finde all things in safetie at thy returne. Genesis 35:5. Acts 18:10.

Exodus 34:25

with leaven] See Annot. on Chap. 23. 15.

untill the morning] See Annot. on Chap. 12. 10.

in the mothers milke] See Annot. on Chap 23. 19.

Exodus 34:27

these words] That is, the Ceremoniall precepts, which was accordingly done, when hee wrote the booke of Exodus: but for the words of the Morall Law, God wrote them himselfe twice over, vers. 2. See the second Annot. on vers. 28. of this Chapter.

Exodus 34:28

fortie dayes, &c.] This remaining in the Mount was another fortie dayes from the former, Chap. 24. 18. This miracle was to confirme the authoritie of the Law: and the like is observed of our Saviour before his publication of the Gospell, who fasted also fortie dayes and fortie nights, which both being miraculous, are no more to be followed by men then other miracles are. See Annot. on Exodus 24:18.

he wrote] Some thinke God wrote the first writing, and Moses the second, which God seemes to command him, vers. 27. But see two Annot. on Chap. 31. vers. 18.

Exodus 34:29

Moses wist not] That is, knew not; for no man can see his own face but in a looking-glasse: or if he had seene it, it would seeme nothing to that glory which he saw of God when he passed by.

face shone] Moses desired to see Gods glory, Chap. 33. 18. Now he himselfe hath by the reflexe of the Divine splendout so much glory upon him, that others for feare dare not looke upon firm, how should he then or any one else be able to comprehend the glory of the Divine Majestie, while he is in a condition of humane frailtie? Yet this makes for the honour of the Law, 2 Corinthians 3:7-8. and for the honour of Moses who brought it to the people, who coming to them with this splendour upon him, was to be received as an Angel of God, Galatians 4:14.

Exodus 34:30

• they were afraid] See Annot. on Exodus 3:6. If his glory did so affright them, the Law might much more terrifie them, which in regard of mans transgression, (though in it selfe, holy, just, and good, Romans 12:2.) wrought wrath, Romans 4:15. and that wrath condemnation, 2 Corinthians 3:7. 9. 2 Cor. 3 7. Luke 1:12.

Exodus 34:33

a vaile] To hide his face (whē he came as an intermediate Agent betwixt God and the people, for it may be this glory was not constant all times) because it was too glorious for the eyes of the people: how blind and base is our condition here, when it is not capable of a derivative glympse of Divine glory? and how incomprehensible is his Majestie, when a reflexive ray, or beame of his beautie, is too much for mortall men to looke upon?

Exodus 34:34

before the Lord] Which was in the Tabernacle or Tent of the Congregation. What that was, see Annot. on Chap. 33. 7.

he tooke the vaile off] For though he were not capable of Gods glory, nor the people of his, yet his glory could be none occasion of terrour or amazement since it was not so much as the least spark in the chimney to the Sunne in the firmament.

Exodus 34:35

with him] That is, with God.